Description
Plump mussels in a golden curry broth with sweet squash & silky leeks—ready in 30 minutes!
Imagine tender mussels swimming in a creamy, aromatic curry broth with caramelized butternut squash and melted leeks—this dish is cozy, elegant, and ridiculously easy to make. Perfect for date nights, dinner parties, or just treating yourself, it’s a one-pot wonder that tastes like a gourmet escape.
Ingredients
For the Curry Broth:
-
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
-
4 cups cubed butternut squash (½-inch pieces)
-
4 leeks, white & light green parts, sliced & rinsed
-
2 tbsp curry powder (Madras for mild, Thai red for spicy!)
-
2 tbsp fresh grated ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
-
2 tsp lime zest + juice of 2 limes
-
½ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
-
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Mussels:
-
4 lbs fresh mussels, scrubbed & debearded (discard any that don’t close when tapped!)
-
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro (or parsley if you’re anti-cilantro!)
For Serving:
-
Crusty bread (sourdough or baguette, toasted!)
-
Lime wedges (extra zing!)
Instructions
1️⃣ Sauté the Veggies (10 mins)
-
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
-
Add butternut squash and cook for 5 mins, stirring occasionally.
-
Toss in leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook 5-6 mins until soft.
2️⃣ Bloom the Spices (1 min)
-
Stir in curry powder, ginger, and lime zest. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3️⃣ Build the Broth (2 mins)
-
Pour in lime juice and cream, stirring until smooth. Season with salt & pepper.
4️⃣ Steam the Mussels (6-8 mins)
-
Add mussels, cover the pot, and steam for 6-8 mins (no peeking!). Discard any unopened mussels.
-
Stir in cilantro right before serving.
5️⃣ Serve & Devour!
-
Ladle into wide bowls with plenty of broth. Serve with toasted bread and lime wedges.
Notes
✔ Buy fresh mussels—they should smell like the ocean, not fishy!
✔ Soak leeks in water to remove hidden grit.
✔ Don’t overcook mussels—they’re done when fully opened.
✔ No heavy cream? Coconut milk works beautifully!
✔ Broth too thin? Simmer uncovered for 2-3 mins before adding mussels.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
Nutrition
- Calories: 380 kcal per serving
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g